Chapter 187: New Year.(2/2)
"You both made it feel like a home," Lukas added, lowering himself into the large leather chair across from them. He looked around the suite—soft jazz playing low, cinnamon-scented candles flickering on the windowsill, and the two most important people in his life within arm’s reach. For the first time in weeks, he felt the pace of time slow down.
As the evening deepened, the suite was filled with laughter. Bella and Lukas teamed up to make homemade pizzas, while Annie was in charge of desserts. They played board games, teased one another, and even FaceTimed Roy and Jay, who were celebrating from the apartment nearby.
Just before midnight, the three of them moved to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the shimmering Philadelphia skyline. The lights of the city danced beneath them, and the snow was still falling, soft as powdered sugar.
"Five minutes," Bella said, checking her phone.
"I still remember last New Year’s. We were... nothing like this," Annie whispered, her voice full of gentle reflection.
Lukas placed a hand on her shoulder. "Everything changes. And I think this year, it changed for the better."
"It’s like we built a family here," Bella said, squeezing Annie’s hand.
The last minute ticked away, and they stood in silence, watching the clock on the TV count down.
"Five... four... three... two... one!" they shouted together.
Fireworks erupted outside—bursts of red, green, and gold lit up the skyline. The three of them embraced in the middle of the suite, laughing through teary eyes.